Action figure with remote water source for shooting water

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an action figure with the ability to shoot water by means of an air pressurized water chamber. The action figure includes a body which is at least partially hollow and at least one body orifice. A water storage reservoir is connected to the body and it has a separate, remote water source for adding water thereto. The water storage reservoir is connected to a pumping and pressurizing means which in turn is connected to the remote water source. The pumping and pressurizing means for pumping the reservoir water and to pressurize the air therein after the water has been added There is an avenue of release which runs from the reservoir to a nozzle and a water release means for regulating the fluid flow through the avenue of release. The water release means is operably connected to the avenue of release and extends outwardly therefrom to permit manual operation. A nozzle at the end of the avenue of release controllably releases water when the water release means is actuated.

REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. Patentapplication Ser. No. 07/895,272, files on Jun. 8, 1992, by BruceD'Andrade, for "Action Figure with the Ability to Shoot Water", which isa Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 07/841,762,filed on Feb. 28, 1992, by Bruce M. D'Andrade and Lonnie Johnson, for"Double Tank Pinch Trigger Pump Water Gun", now U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,819and is a File Wrapper Continuation of U.S. Patent application Ser. No.07/680,247, filed on Apr. 3, 1991, now abandoned, having the sameinventors and title, which is a continuation-in-part of previouslycopending U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 07/578,145, filed on Sep. 6,1990, having the same inventors, for "Pinch Trigger Pump Water Gun", nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,074,437, issued on Dec. 24, 1991. The subject mattercontained in the above referenced cases common to this application andembodied in the claimed subject matter herein, is the invention of BruceM. D'Andrade, the inventor herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an action figure with the abilityto shoot water by means of an air pressurized water chamber and aseparate, remote water source. More specifically, it relates to anaction figure having movable extremities and having a separate watersource, pressurized chamber and separate pumping and pressurizingmechanism and releasing mechanism for drawings, pressuring and shootingliquid therefrom.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

Many toys and similar products have been developed over the years whichpertain to dispensing water. Some have been to combine function withentertainment for children, e.g. shampoo dispensing, others have been tomimic or recreate bodily functions, e.g. crying, urinating, etc., whileothers have been for pure entertainment, e.g. water spraying withfigures or dolls.

The following patents represent a chronological history of such diverseprior art:

U.S. Pat. No. 928,059, describes a soap dispenser having a force pumpwith animated features. The force pump is immersed in liquid, e.g. soapand the pump stroke causes direct dispensing.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,266,106 describes a toy whale with wind up, springloaded wheels which move a reciprocating plunger which causes pushingforce on a flexible reservoir. When this is filled with water and thewhale is moving, the plunger causes the whale to "blow" water.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,893,972 shows a novelty gasoline pump with an elephantencasement, the trunk of which is the pump hose. The hose is extendableand automatically retractable through the elephant's trunk.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,388,835 describes a dispenser for lotion or bubble bath.The device has a container of toy-like character, a dispensing mechanismincluding a plunger tube attached to one end of a suction cylinder. Theplunger tube extends downwardly into the liquid contained within thecontainer, the plunger tube being attached at the lower end of thesuction cylinder. A sidewardly extending flexible tube out of which theliquid is dispensed, is included, and an upper plunger tube is connectedto the upper end of the suction cylinder, the upper plunger tube havinga press-button at its upper end.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,420,412 sets forth a spraying device enclosure. It hasan attractive hollow body simulating an animal in shape and of soft andflexible material to enclose a pressurized spray can. The body has anadjustable opening on the bottom for introduction of the can andopposing openings at the top, one of the openings permitting projectionof the mouth of the spray can such as the bill of an animal, and theother opening permitting the introduction of the user's finger foroperation of the plunger of the spray can.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,769,745 shows a toy doll which will produce tearing andsimultaneously move its arms (in response thereto) to provide theappearance of a crying doll. A fluid reservoir, located in the head ofthe doll includes ducting to carry the fluid from that reservoir to theeyes of the doll. The eyes of the doll are arranged with respect to theducting so as to deflect the fluid passing therethrough to create theappearance of a crying or tearing doll. An elastically compressiblebulb, connected to the fluid reservoir, is located in the passagewaybetween the head and the body of the doll and is aligned along the axisof rotation of the head. When the bulb is compressed, the fluidcontained therein is displaced and passes from the fluid reservoir tothe eyes of the doll. The tearing system has no overflow or air intakeports inside the doll.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,901 describes a child's doll with an internalreservoir into which a liquid may be introduced through the mouthorifice of the doll. The reservoir is also provided with a dischargevalve whose opening is effected by the close proximity of a permanentmagnet; such a magnet being provided attached to a training seat withchamber-pot. The doll is provided with an orifice at its lower extremitythrough which it can eliminate fluid when placed on the training seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,539 is directed to a weeping doll, having a headwith eye sockets and an open mouth formed therein, is provided with agravity influenced weeping device for causing the doll to weep whenplaced in a generally horizontal position. The weeping device includes aliquid inlet tube located adjacent the open mouth and a flexiblereservoir tank in liquid communication with the inlet tube. Aselectively operable valve is located in the inlet tube for opening theinlet to permit liquid to flow through the mouth to the reservoir. Theinlet tube is provided by a rigid housing which defines a liquid flowconduit between the flexible reservoir and the eye sockets of the dolland means is provided for compressing the flexible reservoir when thedoll is in a generally horizontal position to force liquid from thereservoir through the conduit to the eye sockets, in order to simulateweeping or tearing.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,729 describes a tearing reservoir which ispressurized by inflatable sack connected to a bellows mounted in figuretoy head and receiving air from waterimpervious, hollow torso in fluidcommunication with bellows through a neck plug connected to the bellowsand the torso in such a manner that water entering head when figure toyis immersed will not pass into torso. A reed-type noise maker may bemounted in the neck plug.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,517 is directed to a large capacity water squirtingimplement in the form of a cane. This water squirting implement utilizesa reciprocal plunger hand pump which is mounted at the top of a hollow,elongated tube which provides the large water storage capacity. A headis slidably secured to the top of the cane, enclosing the pump in such away that reciprocal motion of the head is transmitted to the plunger ofthe pump to cause squirts of water to be emitted from a tube extendingfrom the outlet of the pump to the exterior of the head.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,045 covers an action figure such as a human. Theaction figure includes two arms mounted to the figure's torso forrocking movement toward the torso about laterally spaced axes, theaction figure also including two legs that are mounted for pivotalmovement to the torso in a scissors-like fashion. Integral with therockable mounting means for each arm is an inwardly extending shank, theshanks projecting into end portions of a coil spring. When either arm ismoved laterally toward the side of the torso, the spring is flexed intoa V-shaped configuration. A link extends downwardly from the center ofthe spring so that the flexing action imparted to the spring causes thelink to move downwardly or upwardly. Each unit for pivotally mountingthe legs includes a crank pin that is receivable in forwardly andrearwardly located slots at the lower end of the link. The arms can beindependently swung from a position adjacent the sides of the figure tooverhead or outstretched positions without affecting their ability tooscillate the legs in a scissors-like manner and thereby simulaterunning, swimming and kicking movements.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,672 is directed to toy actions figures which includeupper and lower hollow torso portions. An actuating mechanism iscontained in the upper torso and acts through a helical gear mechanismto rotate the lower torso portion and the legs attached thereto about alongitudinal axis when one of figure's arms is swung from a divergingrelation toward one side of the figure. A spring is used to return theactuating mechanism and the limbs associated therewith back to theirnormal or unactuated positions. Another spring releases or disconnectsthe lower torso portion from the actuating mechanism should the childattempt to twist the two torso portions relative to each other by usingtoo much force.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,319 covers an activity toy with a body including ahollow cylindrical portions supported on a base and having pivotallymounted arms has a hollow upper member including a skull with extrusionopenings. The bottom of the upper member has a loading opening for aplastic amorphous solid substance. Attachable about and spaced from theskull is a clear plastic mask formed of separable halves clampedtogether at the bottom by the engagement of hooks and tabs and at thetop by a detachable hairpiece. Near the bottom, the mask is maintainedin a relatively tight relation to a flange on the hollow upper member.The upper member with the mask attached is secured to the body by abayonet lock. Within the body is a piston with diametrically opposedgear racks that are engaged by gear segments on arms pivotally mountedto the body. Movement of the arms from an upraised position down to alower position drives the piston into the hollow member through theloading opening to extrude the plastic amorphous substance out of theextrusion openings in the skull and fill the clear plastic mask.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,756 covers a liquid squirting simulated creaturecomprised of a front section having a body, legs and head, and a rearsection which is assembled thereto. The front section is comprised oftop and bottom elements defining a cavity therebetween and front andrear apertures, as well as apertures extending along the sides thereofthrough which a multiplicity of legs extend. The rear section is aresiliently compressible bulbous member providing a chamber therewithinto contain fluid and having a neck portion extending through theaperture in the rear wall of the front section. A tubular conduit isseated in an opening in the neck portion of the rear section and extendsto a front aperture in the front section so as to provide the conduitfor discharge of fluid from the chamber therethrough. The leg membersare comprised of a web on each side interconnecting a multiplicity oflegs on that side of the front section, and flexible portions whichextend through apertures along the sides of the front section.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,931 describes various patterns of receptor holesformed in the torso, arms and legs of a plastic toy action figure topermit various accessories, also of plastic, having compliant press-inpins to be selectively added to and removed from the toy figure.Additionally, a rotatable coupling mechanism extends through the torso,the coupling mechanism having a receptor hole at each end thereof, theholes in the coupling mechanism being in a predetermined relation withrespect to prearranged patterns of receptor holes in the front and rearof the torso. In this way, accessories can be plugged into the ends ofthe coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is provided with two setsof facial teeth or serrations that are normally resiliently urged intoengagement but which disengage if the coupling mechanism is subjected toan excessive amount of twisting force, thereby avoiding breakage.Associated with the coupling mechanism is a sound creating device thatproduces an audible clicking as the coupling mechanism is rotated ineither direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,681 describes a water action toy which is worn on achild's hand by means of a glove secured to and underneath a housing inwhich a water reservoir, a water pump, an electrical motor and a batterypack are housed. A pair of actuators are mounted on a thumb sheath and aforefinger sheath of the glove. When the actuators are brought togetherby finger manipulation, the motor drives the pump to eject water in aseries of spurts from the toy.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,874 sets forth a shampoo dispensing container in theshape of an action figure, such as an army figure, and has a fluidpumping system that operates to dispense shampoo from the container inan exploding type pattern as one of the arms of the action figure isoperated in a combat type movement.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,387 describes a figurine-shaped toy that squirtswater out of its mouth by cranking an arm.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,965 covers an interactive doll system incorporatesboth liquid handling elements for receiving liquid through the mouth ofthe doll when the doll is in a first range of positions, then dispensingthat liquid through the eyes of the doll when the doll is in a secondrange of positions or through an anal opening of the doll when the dollis in a third range of positions. It also incorporates an electronicassembly for sensing the attitude and motion of the doll, as well asfeeding of the doll, and for producing a range of sounds in responsethereto, including sounds produced randomly at times in response tomotion of the doll.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,140 discloses toy action figures and detachableaccessories therefore incorporating audio generating apparatus. Theaudio generating apparatus is entirely contained within the accessoryand generates both speed and sound effects. The detachable accessorieshave a configuration and visual appearance coordinated with theconfiguration and visual appearance of the toy action figure. Forexample, the accessory may be a backpack configured and having a visualappearance to coordinate with a soldier, spaceman or policeman actionfigure. The audio generating apparatus includes separate controls forcausing the audio generating apparatus to independently generate speechand sound effects. The accessories in configuration, appearance andsound content are made to be attachable and applicable to differenttypes of action figures.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,129 to Gary F. Esposito describes a water pistoland/or flashlight structure which includes a reciprocal pump within aliquid chamber or tank located itself within the gun housing. The pumpis used to pressurize air within the tank after the water has beenadded, and a trigger is used for subsequent release of the water.Battery operated lights and sound are also provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,789, issued to Giampiero Ferri, describes a waterpistol which includes a main liquid reservoir and a pressurized liquidreservoir contained within the main liquid reservoir. Thetrigger-actuated pump is used with a manually operated three way valveto selectively supply liquid: (a) from the pump to the pressurizedreservoir; (b) from the pump to the nozzle and to the pressurized liquidreservoir; or, (c) from the pressurized liquid reservoir.

Notwithstanding the plethora of prior art, none teaches or rendersobvious the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an action figure with the ability to shootwater by means of an air pressurized water chamber. The action figureincludes a body which is at least partially hollow and has at least onebody orifice. A water storage reservoir is connected to the body and ithas a separate, remote water source for adding water thereto. The waterstorage reservoir is connected to a pumping and pressurizing means whichin turn is connected to the remote water source. The pumping andpressurizing means is for pumping the reservoir water and to pressurizethe air therein during and after the water has been added. There is anavenue of release which runs from the reservoir to a nozzle and a waterrelease means for regulating the fluid flow through the avenue ofrelease. The water release means is operably connected to the avenue ofrelease and extends outwardly therefrom to permit manual operation. Anozzle at the end of the avenue of release controllably releases waterwhen the water release means is actuated. The action figure may be amammal or other character, with the pumping and pressurizing means beingembodied partially in an appendage and the nozzle being located in anappendage. The water storage reservoir may be within the body of theaction figure, or externally located and connected thereto. If external,it may be detachable or non-detachable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood by referring to thefollowing detailed specifications, the above specification and theclaims set forth herein, when taken in connection with the drawingsappended hereto, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an objective front view of one preferred embodiment actionfigure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the side view of a hand which may replace a weapon shown onone appendage of the action figure preferred embodiment expressed inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the side view of the FIG. 1 action figure but with a handreplacing a weapon on one appendage;

FIG. 4 shows the front view of the preferred embodiment expressed byFIG. 3, but with the head and the pumping and pressurizing meansremoved;

FIG. 5 shows a selective front cut view of a portion of the actionfigure preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1,with sections removed to better show interior mechanisms;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partially cut partial side view of the actionfigure of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, to illustrate a waterrelease mechanism;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate top and side views of an alternative embodimentof the present invention animal character action figure with the abilityto shoot water;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a present invention action figure with anexternal, removable reservoir; and,

FIG. 10 illustrates a cut front view of a present invention actionfigure preferred pumping and pressurizing means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is, as mentioned, directed toward a toy actionfigure with a water storage reservoir, with the ability to shoot streamsof water. It has a remote water source and a pumping and pressurizingmechanism that pumps water from the remote source to the reservoir andthat uses air to pressurize the water reservoir and to subsequentlypropel the water through a narrow nozzle as desired. Pressurized watertoys are not new; they have been in existence for decades. Waterpressure has been used in the toy industry for everything from launchingtoy rockets to propelling toy cars. Pressurized water toys come in twoprimary types. First there are water toys that use mechanical means todirectly compress and pressurize water. Such toys represent a majorityof the water toys manufactured today, and are exemplified by traditionalwater guns that use a trigger operated pump or a battery powered motorto squirt small amounts of water. The problem with toys that directlypump water is that to reach the required pressure for a satisfactorysquirt, a small diameter piston is required. This in turn limits theamount of water that can be squirted in each shot. In addition, thespeed at which the pump is activated, whether manually or by motor,affects the distance of the shot, and it requires many cycles to projectany significant amount of water.

To solve these problems, toy manufacturers have turned to the technologyof compressed air to pressurize a reservoir of water. Air is easilycompressed to high pressures and this high pressure can be transferredto stored water. This technology is easily adapted to a child's strengthand allows a relatively large amount of water to be pressurized at onetime. This relatively large reserve of pressurized water allows a watergun to fire a large continuous stream of water at one time or multiplesingle streams of water sequentially without the need for repeatedpumping cycles.

The problem with air pressurized toys is one of safety. Toys aredesigned to be inexpensive so as to be widely marketable. As such, mosttoys are made of plastics or other inexpensive materials. Such materialsdo not have large tensile strengths or fatigue characteristics, andtherefore do not lend themselves well to containing pressurized fluids.Plastic containers for pressurized liquids, if not properly designed,can rupture and explode causing severe injury.

The present invention has a unique design that allows for both the useof high pressure air and the elimination of potential rupturing hazards.The present invention has a cylindrical water reservoir which isencompassed within a main section or body of an action figure, andformed of essential thickness and shape to maximize capacity and safety.The water storage reservoir utilized preferably has rounded cylinderends which serve to maintain the integrity of the water reservoir wallsand minimize the leak points throughout the material of the waterreservoir, thereby allowing for the safe use of higher pressures. Asingle orifice connection from the water storage reservoir to the bodyof the action figure or within the body of the action figure wasdesigned so that both the pressurized air from the air pump and theexiting pressurized water utilize the same opening without backflowproblems to either. The present invention action figure has bothcharacter features and water gun features and is operated by pumping inthe reservoir water from the remote water source to the reservoir,pumping up the pressure and selectively releasing the pressurized waterthrough a narrow nozzle.

The selective release of the pressurized water is controlled by a waterrelease means which is separate from the pump mechanism. Since thepresent invention has the ability to operate at high pressures, thewater release mechanism performs two functions. First it controls theamount of water released and, second, it serves as a safety valve. Thewater release means of the present invention has an extension thatpinches the exit hosing of the pressurized water. The pinching force iscreated by a spring. When the water release means is pressed, the springbias of the pinching member is overcome and water is released.Similarly, when the pressure in the water reservoir reaches beyondsafety limitations, the force of the compressed water will overcome thespring bias of the pinching member allowing water to be released untilthe pressure within the reservoir reaches a safe level.

The present invention is thus directed toward a toy action figure whichis operated by selectively releasing water from a water reservoir thatis pressurized with air. The water pressurizing means, e.g. an air pump,pumps water from a remote water source and pressurizes a water reservoirfor subsequent squirting.

The pressurized water has an avenue of release that is regulated by thewater release means of the invention. When no force is applied to thewater release means, the pressurized water is held at bay with no meansof release. When force is applied to it, water is released from thepressurized reservoir and is channeled through the avenue of release andthen through a narrow nozzle. The escape of the pressurized waterthrough the narrow nozzle creates a stream of propelled water that lastsas long as the water release means is engaged or until the pressure onthe water in the reservoir equals the ambient air pressure.

Water is added to the present invention via at least one remote watersource which is connected to the reservoir, e.g. via the pumping means.The reservoir itself is non-detachable from the action figure when it iscontained therein and in some embodiments where it is external to theaction figure. Other embodiments include removable reservoirs. However,the remote water source may be natural or man-made, may be a pool orriver or pond, a swimming pool, a small portable tank, e.g. attachableto a belt of a user, or may be one or more tanks within a vehicle, e.g.a car, boat or otherwise, and the figure may be removably placed on orin it. Further, the remote water source and/or its connector, e.g.tubing, may be detachable.

There is an orifice on the reservoir on those embodiments where thereservoir is in the action figure and it is connected to the body of theaction figure and serves as both the entrance point for installation ofthe pumping and pressurizing mechanism, and the exit point of thepressurized water. The water reservoir is formed apart from the body ofthe action figure so that the integrity of the reservoir's walls remainsintact, allowing the water reservoir to hold high pressures without fearof rupture. Additionally, the danger of rupture is eliminated by thewater release means, which, as mentioned, automatically and safelydischarges pressurized water when over pressurized, but does not releasethe water automatically until the maximum allowable pressure is reached.

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown an oblique frontal view of anaction figure of a robotic characteristic which is one preferredembodiment of the present invention. Shown in this FIG. 1 is the generalaction FIG. 1, having a main body 3, legs 5 and 7, and arms 9 and 11.There is a left hand 13, with appendages represented by finger 15. Legs5 and 7 have feet 15 and 17, as shown. Elongated appendages such as toe19, are included. Right foot 15 exemplifies the motion capabilities ahinged vertical motion is achieved with hinge 22 and rotational movementby member 21.

The legs 5 and 7 are also hingeable at the knees such as socket 23,shown. Likewise, hip motion is achieved by socket and collar such assockets 25 and collar 26. Arm movements are likewise varied andcompound. For example, left arm 11 has wrist rotation at member 27,forearm movement at member 29 and socket and collar movement at shoulder31. Head 33 includes eyes 37 and other features shown and unscrewableneck 35.

Head 33 is freely rotatable and pumpable within neck 35 and this isdiscussed in conjunction with FIG. 5 below. Attached to collar 123 (FIG.2 below) is connection tubing 2 which is connected also to remote watersource 4. Tubing 2 is connected via plastic conduit to a pumping andpressuring mechanism also described below.

The right arm 9 of action FIG. 1 has rotation movement at member 39 andshoulder 47. Simulated weapon 41 includes an ejection nozzle 42, barrel43, water release means 49 and attachment-detachment mechanism 51. Theseare discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 2 shows a hand 63 with attachment mechanism (snap on) 77 andextended tubing portion 75. Fingers 61, 65 and 67 and thumb 66 areincluded.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, FIG. 3 shows a side view of theaction FIG. 1 of FIG. 1 but with weapon 41 removed and replaced by hand63. Like parts are all like numbered. As seen in this view, appendagemotion (arm 9, leg 5 and foot 15) is more vivid. Also, note that waterrelease means 49 extends outwardly from forearm 73. It is kept biasedvia spring 71 and, in this position, pinches a tube (avenue of release)within the arm 9, as discussed with FIG. 6 below. If desired, the springcould be located internally within the arm 9 and can be in form of leafspring or other spring type mechanism. Likewise, the water release meansmay be located elsewhere, without exceeding the scope of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the action FIG. 1 of FIG. 1 to illustratemore details of the arms 9 and 11 and legs 5 and 7. Like parts are alllike numbered. Here, head 33 has been removed to show pressure reservoirorifice 36 with collar 112 and threads 38, and body collar 35. Thesethreads allow for easy assembly, but one the neck 35 is attached, it mayor may not be removable. Thus, it might be attached with glue or heatseal. Alternatively, collar 112 could have a snap fit or a force fitinstead of threading.

In those instances were threads 38 are used instead of a permanentattachment means, i.e. when head 33 and the attached pumping andpressurizing mechanism is removable, the present invention action figuremay be used without the remote water source and the opening for theremote water source connection, i.e. the remote water source inlet, maybe used only as an air inlet. In such cases, the head would be removedso as to fill the pressure reservoir directly and, with the head screwedback on, the subsequent pumping would pull air through the remote watersource inlet for pressurizing the reservoir. In other words, when thehead is removable, the action figure of the present invention may beused with or without a remote water source and with or without a remotewater source connecting tube.

FIG. 5 shows a partial cut front view of action FIG. 1 of FIGS. 1, 3 and4 with identical parts identically numbered. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5,body 3 of action FIG. 1 is at least partially hollow. Likewise,appendages such as leg 5 and arm 9 and elements such as elements 25 and27 have hollow areas 105, 107, 109 and 113, as shown. Within hollowportion 103 is pressure storage reservoir 111, which has an orifice 127at its top, and is constructed to withstand high pressures, e.g. about80 to about 100 pounds per square inch. As can be seen, it is structuredto fit snugly within hollow 103 and thus obtains additional structuralsupport. Neck 35 appears in earlier FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and it is a collarthrough which reservoir collar 112 extends with its threads 38.

Pumping and Pressurizing means 114 includes air pump cylinder 119, pumprod 117 and piston 121 and threaded collar 123. Threaded collar 123screws snaps or otherwise fits onto threaded reservoir collar 112.Remote water source connection tubing 2 connects to pumping andpressuring means 114 at the top thereof through collar 123 above itsthreaded portions. Pump rod 117 extends beyond collar 123 and acts as aslider. Head 33 is attached to pump rod 117 and acts as a slider handle.There is an O-ring in collar 123 and around pump rod 117, which providesa seal. As shown by arrow 130, head 33 may be moved or pumped up anddown while collar 123 and tubing 2 are fastened permanently or removablyonto collar 112. One way valve 122, e.g. an O-ring sealing on downstrokeand open on upstroke, 122 pumps water from remote water source 4 intoreservoir 111 and pressurized the air. Hence, pumping provides water toreservoir 111 and increases the air pressure within reservoir 111 topermit subsequent release of water therefrom.

FIG. 6 shows a partial side cut view of the action FIG. 1 of FIG. 5 withlike parts like numbered. This Figure illustrates the exit end of avenueof release 135 through hollow areas 109 and 107. Spring 71 biases waterrelease means 49 pressed against and shutting off a flexible portion ofavenue of release 135, as it is rotatably mounted with pin 50. Asdiscussed in conjunction with FIG. 2 above, there is a portion of anavenue of release 136, which extends through finger 67 of hand 63 tonozzle 69.

The water storage reservoir 111 has an orifice 127 with a threadedcollar 112 which is removably sealed to pumping and pumping andpressurizing means collar 123. The collar 123 forms a selectivewatertight and airtight seal by means of an O-ring between the reservoir111 and the pumping and pressurizing means 114. Thus the water reservoir111 and the pressurizing means 114 may be sealed from the ambientenvironment, the only air passing between these components through valvemeans 122 described below.

To fill the water reservoir 111 with water 151, the pumping andpressurizing means 114 is pumped to move water from remote source 4,into tubing 2, into cylinder 119 and then into the reservoir 111.

As it is being filled with water 151, the action FIG. 1 is beingpressurized as water entering storage reservoir 111 compresses the airin space 141 above the water 151. Thus, the water from remote watersource 2 is forced into reservoir 111 by the relative movement of thepiston 121 within the air pump cylinder 119. The piston 121 is operatedby the pump rod 117 that is connected to the piston 121 at one end andto the head 33, which acts as a slider handle, at the other end. Thepump rod 117 is anchored to the slider handle head 33 and head 33 has ahollow 115 so as to maximize the stroke. Head 33 acting as a sliderhandle is operated manually by the user of the action FIG. 1. A userholds the head 33 with one hand and the action FIG. 1 with the other.The head 33 is then stroked or moved back and forth, i.e. pumped itsfull distance. The back and forth action is transferred to the piston121, which forces water or air from the remote source through a one wayvalve 122 the pump or through a one way valving ring around piston 121(not shown) which would permit air and/or water (below the piston) intocylinder 119 but not out of cylinder 119 (above the piston). It thenflows past a one way flow valve 122, and into the water storagereservoir 111. Water (and sometimes move air) from the remote source iscontinuously added to the water storage reservoir 111 until a desiredpressure is reached.

Once under pressure, the water 151 is selectively prevented from flowingfreely through the conduit or avenue of release 135, comprising firstsection 134 and second section 136, by a water release means 49. Apreferred release means as shown in this embodiment includes a springbiased pinch bar end 54 that clamps the avenue of release 135, i.e.outlet tubing, against a stop 55 that is part of the arm 7. Preferably,all of the tubing may be flexible tubing or, at least a portion isflexible when a pinch bar is used as the water release means. The pinchbar end 54 is biased against the stop 55 by a calibrated spring 71. Thespring is held at one end by a formation of the arm 9 and pushesoutwardly on release means 49. The strength of the spring 71 in itsbiased configuration is calibrated, so that when the pressure on thewater 151 within the outlet tubing 135 reaches a predetermined maximumvalue, the spring 71 will allow the pinch bar end 54 to rise and water151 will be released until safe pressure is maintained. Thus, thepredetermined maximum value for the yielding of the spring 71 or otherrelease means may preferably be between about 50 pounds per square inchand about 90 pounds per square inch. Other predetermined pressures ofhigher or lower value, e.g. at least about 100 pounds per square inch,may be used depending upon the particular components and specificconfiguration of a particular embodiment.

Other than the automatic water release for an overly high pressure,water 151 is released in the following manner. Rearwardly directed forceis applied to the water release means 49, and is transferred to thepinch bar end 54 via the levered configuration that rotates around pivotpin 50. The transferred force applied to the pinch bar end 54 acts inopposition to the biasing force of spring 71. When the force of therelease means 49 overcomes the force of the spring 71 the pinch bar end54 is lifted from the outlet tubing 135 and water 151 is allowed to passthrough the outlet tubing 135 and 136 terminating at a nozzle 69 (whichhas a narrow opening). Water 151 streams out of the narrow opening ofnozzle 69 until either the force on the water release means 49 isreleased or until the air pressure within the water reservoir 111reaches ambient. This may be in one long continuous stream or a seriesof bursts of water.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a top view and a side view of an alternativeembodiment action figure water gun of the present invention. Referringboth to FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown a present invention action FIG. 201having a main body 203, legs 205, 207, 209 and 211. Head 213 includes anose 215 with a nozzle 217 extending therefrom. Horn 219 is located onthe top of head 213 and acts as a pressure release means. Head 213 isconnected to main body 203 at rotatable neck 221. The appendages such asleg 205 includes multiple rotational members such as members 225, 227and 229. All four of the legs have such members and these permit actionfigure 201 to have various positions, including bending, walking,standing, etc. Contained within main housing 203 is a water and airstorage reservoir (not shown) which is similar to reservoir 111 shown isFIG. 5. Likewise, a pumping and pressurizing means is contained withincylinder 237 similar to pressurizing means 114 shown in FIG. 1, whichwould include a pump cylinder, (not shown) a piston (not shown) and pumprod 233. Cap 235 has threading on its inside and may be screwed ontothreaded neck 241 located in the rear 243 of main body 203. Threadedneck 241 has an orifice 235 which connects directly to the water and airstorage reservoir contained therein. Tail 231 acts similarly to head 33of FIG. 5 in that it acts as a pump handle. Remote water source 202 isattached to the pumping an pressurizing means via tubing 204.Appropriate one way valves similar to those discussed in conjunctionwith FIG. 5 are likewise included, and operation is similar.

A user fills up the remote water source (if necessary) and pumps thetail back and forth so as to move pump rod 233 within the pump cylindercontained therein so as to pump water therein and to pressurize thestorage reservoir. There is an avenue of release from the reservoir tonozzle 217 and there is also a water release means 219, with a springbias (not shown) which opens the avenue of release to the flow of waterfrom the reservoir when release means (horn) 219 is depressed by theuser. When action figure water gun 201 is properly filled with water andpressurized air, depression of release means horn 219 permits water tobe released via nozzle 217. This may be in short spurts, or for a verylong sequence due to the pressurization within the storage reservoir.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of an action FIG. 301 which is similar to theaction figure shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. However, here, the water andair storage reservoir 309 is located externally from main body 3.Further, all parts identical to those shown such as in FIG. 3 areidentically numbered here. Note that there is an extension 303 off ofmain body 3 which has an internally threaded section 305 for receivingreservoir 309. Brace 307 likewise extends from main body 3 to securereservoir 309. Reservoir 309 is filled with via pumping head 33, as inthe case of FIGS. 1 through 6 above. This is very much like that shownis FIG. 5 except that the pumping and pressurizing means is notcontained within the reservoir but is contained within main body 3.Here, the one way valve at the bottom of the pump cylinder would notopen directly into the water and air storage reservoir but would havetubing or a line connecting from the main body into extension 303 anddown into reservoir 309. Likewise, tubing 304 would connect from aremote water source (not shown) to the pumping means as in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a side cut view of a pumping andpressurizing means 501 of the present invention. Here, a cylinder andpiston arrangement is shown and is similar to those discussed inconjunction with the earlier Figures above. Cylinder 503 includes a base505 and a top section 507 through which piston rod 53 movably passesthrough. Inlet tubing 513 comes from a remote water source (not shown)and passes through an opening in cap 519 with attachment means 521 forsubsequent attachment for the body of a present invention action figure.Outlet tubing 515 includes one way valve 517 so that water and/or airexits from the bottom space 511 of cylinder 503 but can not reentercylinder 503 due to one way flap valve 517. Piston 527 includes O-ring529 as well as a criss-cross base 531. Thus, when head 525 is pusheddown on rod 523 and moved piston 527 downwardly, 0-ring 521 acts as aone-way valve and seals the space 511 below it so as to put positionpressure on air and/or water in that space to move the air/and waterthrough tubing 515 and in to the reservoir. When head 525 is pulledupwardly, piston 527 moves upwardly and 0-ring 529 drops down tocriss-cross 531 so that the vacuum created in space 511 pulls waterand/or air in space 519 and tubing 513 and remote water source (notshown) downwardly to fill the void created by the increasing volume ofspace 511. Thus, on the upstroke, the space 511 below piston 527 isfilled by pumping in by pumping inwardly to tubing 513, and, when head525 is pushed downwardly, as piston 527 moves downwardly and the valvingseals via the upward closure of O-ring 529, liquid and/or air in space511 is pumped outwardly through tube 515.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An action figure with the ability to shoot waterby means of an air pressurized water chamber, comprising:(a) a bodyhaving a form, a hollow portion, at least one body orifice and at leastone ambulatory appendage, the form of said body selected from the groupof humanoid forms, robotic forms and animalian forms, each ambulatoryappendage having a means for movement with respect to said body; (b) awater and air pressure reservoir connected to said body and having atleast one orifice; (c) a pumping and pressuring means for pumping waterfrom a remote water source and for pressuring said storage pressurereservoir with air, said means being attachable to at least saidpressure storage reservoir and said body; (d) a remote water supplysource inlet which is connected to said water and pressure reservoir viasaid pumping and pressurizing means said remote water supply sourceinlet being capable of use for intake of air through said pumping andpressurizing means as well as alternatively for intake of water and/orair from a remote water supply source; (e) an avenue of release forwater displaced by pressurized air in said pressure reservoir, saidavenue of release being located within and extending from said reservoirto a nozzle; (f) said nozzle being disposed at one end of said avenue ofrelease; and, (g) a water release means for regulating the fluid flowthrough said avenue of release and out of said nozzle.
 2. The actionfigure of claim 1, wherein said storage reservoir is located within saidbody.
 3. The action figure of claim 2, wherein airflow from saidreservoir to said pumping and pressurizing means is prevented by a oneway flow device within said pumping and pressurizing means.
 4. Theaction figure of claim 2, wherein waterflow from said reservoir intosaid pumping and pressurizing means is prevented by a one way flowdevice.
 5. The action figure of claim 2, wherein said nozzle has anarrow orifice therethrough with a cross-sectional area less than thatof said avenue of release.
 6. The action figure of claim 1, wherein saidbody has a threaded collar at an orifice thereto and said pumping andpressurizing means is screwably attached to said collar and extends intosaid reservoir located within said body.
 7. The action figure of claim6, wherein a portion of said pumping and pressurizing means extendsoutside of said body in the form of an appendage of said action figure.8. The action figure of claim 7, wherein said pumping and pressurizingmeans is a hand operated pump with a slider and said appendage with saidportion of said pumping and pressurizing means activity acts as both aportion of the character of said action figure and as a handle for saidslider.
 9. The action figure of claim 7, wherein said action figure is acharacter with various appendages including ambulatory appendages andsaid appendage with said portion of said pumping and pressurizing meansis a head.
 10. The action figure of claim 2, wherein said avenue ofrelease extends out of said body and through an appendage of said actionfigure with said nozzle being located in that appendage at the end ofsaid avenue of release.
 11. The action figure of claim 1, which furtherincludes:(h) a remote water supply source connected to said remote watersupply source inlet.
 12. The action figure of claim 11, wherein saidremote water supply source is a container remotely located outside ofsaid body and is connected to said pumping and pressurizing means via aflexible conduit.
 13. The action figure of claim 12, wherein said remotewater supply source is removably attached to said action figure.
 14. Theaction figure of claim 12, wherein airflow from said reservoir to saidpumping and pressurizing means is prevented by a one way flow device.15. The action figure of claim 11, wherein a portion of said pumping andpressurizing means extends outside of said body in the form of anappendage of said action figure.
 16. The action figure of claim 11,wherein said pumping and pressurizing means is a hand operated pump witha slider and said appendage with said portion of said pressurizing meansacts as both a portion of the character of said action figure and as ahandle for said slider.
 17. The action figure of claim 1, wherein saidwater release means is a spring biased pinch bar that clamps said avenueof release, thus selectively restricting waterflow therethrough, andsaid water release means has a portion extending outwardly from saidaction figure to permit manual operation thereof.
 18. The action figureof claim 17, wherein said spring biased pinch bar has a spring biaswhich is calibrated to yield to pressure within said avenue of release,when said pressure within said avenue of release exceeds a predeterminedmaximum value.
 19. The action figure of claim 18, wherein said maximumvalue for the yielding of said spring bias to said pressure within saidavenue of release is between about 50 pounds per square inch and about90 pounds per square inch.
 20. The action figure of claim 1, whereinsaid avenue of release has a first section and a second section and saidfirst section extends out of said body and through an appendage to anend of said appendage, and said action figure includes one or moreremovable accessories removably attachable to said appendage, and saidsecond section of said avenue of release and said nozzle are locatedwithin said accessory, and said second section having a first end toalign with said first section of said avenue of release when saidaccessory is attached to said appendage and a second end connected tosaid nozzle.